How EMDR Helps Kids Heal from Medical Trauma
- Erica Cornelius
- Oct 24
- 4 min read
“Before we talk about what EMDR is let me tell you about what EMDR does. When we have yucky things that happen to us, we have many mixed-up feelings and many mixed-up thoughts... EMDR can help kids by making those bags smaller or even get rid of them so kids will have space for the good feelings and the good thoughts.”
— Ana M. Gomez, EMDR Certified Therapist
When medical experiences leave lasting worry
For many children, medical care is simply part of life with shots, blood draws, maybe an ER visit or a chronic illness that means lots of appointments. But for some kids, those experiences leave behind fear that doesn’t fade.
If your child panics at the sight of a needle or worries for days before a doctor’s visit, that might be medical trauma which is a real emotional response that can stick long after the body has healed.
As a child therapist in Fairfax, VA, I meet kids who dread medical procedures and parents who feel heartbroken watching their child’s anxiety grow. EMDR therapy offers a gentle, evidence-based way to help.
What Is EMDR Therapy (and Why It Works for Kids)
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps the brain “unstick” stressful memories so they can be stored in a calmer, more adaptive way.
With children, we adapt EMDR through play, drawing, and imagination, which are all tools that make it feel natural and safe.
In simple terms: EMDR helps your child’s brain realize, “That scary thing is over now, and I’m safe.” It’s not about forgetting the experience; it’s about helping their mind and body stop reacting like it’s happening again.
Understanding Childhood Medical Trauma
A hospital stay, repeated IVs, or even a single painful injection can create trauma, especially when a child feels powerless or confused.
Common triggers include:
The sight or smell of medical settings
White coats or latex gloves
The memory of pain or restraint
Children often form a belief like “I have no say in what happens to me.” That loss of control can lead to anxiety, nightmares, and avoidance of anything medical.
In my work with children including those with PANDAS who undergo ongoing medical treatments, I’ve seen how these experiences can create deep distress. It’s not “just fear of shots.” It’s the body remembering, “This hurt and I couldn’t stop it.”
How EMDR Helps Kids Reclaim a Sense of Control
During EMDR, we identify the moments or images that cause distress like maybe the smell of the hospital, the sight of the IV, or the sound of medical tape.
Through gentle bilateral stimulation (like eye movements, tapping, or buzzers), children process these memories while feeling grounded and supported.
What makes EMDR powerful is how it targets the beliefs behind the fear.
For example:
When this shift happens, much of the panic, avoidance, and physical distress lessen and sometimes dramatically so. I’ve seen children who once couldn’t even look at a needle begin to attend appointments calmly and even tell me afterward, “That wasn’t so bad.”
Building Confidence with Future Templating and Resources
After addressing past experiences, EMDR helps children imagine future scenarios, a process called future templating.
Together, we might visualize a child walking into a doctor’s office feeling calm, brave, or even neutral. They practice what confidence feels like in their body.
Along the way, we build resources such as grounding skills, calming imagery, or sensory tools that children can use anytime they feel nervous.This part of therapy helps kids prepare for real-life moments, not just talk about them.
When to Seek Support
Consider reaching out if your child:
Panics before medical visits
Refuses or avoids treatment
Has nightmares or physical symptoms (stomachaches, shaking, crying)
Worries for days or weeks about medical care
These are signs your child’s nervous system might be stuck in “alarm mode.”
Therapy including EMDR, play therapy, and CBT can help restore their sense of safety and confidence.
Helping Your Child Feel Safe Again
Healing from medical trauma isn’t about erasing memories. It’s about helping your child’s brain and body remember that they are safe now.
Through EMDR, children learn to trust their bodies again and feel empowered during medical experiences. Parents often notice less dread, more resilience, and a calmer home around appointment days.
If your child struggles with fear or anxiety around medical care, contact us today to discuss if EMDR may be a good fit for your child.
📍 In View Counseling Services — Providing EMDR Therapy for Children in Fairfax, VA and surrounding Northern Virginia communities.
Additional Resources
This post was written by Erica Cornelius, LPC, founder of In View Counseling Services in Fairfax, VA. Erica specializes in EMDR Therapy and Child & Adolescent Counseling. She is passionate about helping clients heal from trauma and build emotional resilience.